Yellow Ribbon re-engagement meeting to be held Dec. 11

Anoka County communities will be making another effort at becoming a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon support network.

A Beyond the Yellow Ribbon re-engagement kickoff will take place Tuesday, Dec. 11 from 7 to 8 p.m. at Anoka City Hall. About 75 people were at the first kickoff meeting earlier this spring. File photo by Eric Hagen

A meeting has been scheduled Tuesday, Dec. 11, 7 to 8 p.m., in the conference room at Anoka City Hall, 2015 First Ave. N.

The cities of Andover, Anoka, Champlin, Coon Rapids and Ramsey had previously sent representatives to meetings about the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program that seeks to lend a hand to military service members and their families.

Approximately 75 people were at the March 29 kick-off meeting at the Green Haven Golf and Banquet Center in Anoka.

Capt. Jeff Pratt of the Minnesota National Guard and an outreach coordinator for Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, said about one-third of that number attended the second meeting July 12 at the Anoka Armory.

With five months gone by, Pratt said they are re-engaging the communities to see if volunteers can lead the six steering committees that focus on financial, employment, service providers, education, veterans organizations and volunteering.

There have been 213 Yellow Ribbon networks created over the last two-and-a-half years across Minnesota and there is interest in Anoka County for creating another network, but it is now up to the people to volunteer, according to Pratt.

Anyone from the public who would like to help out is encouraged to attend, even if they did not attend any of the previous meetings, Pratt said.

The Minnesota National Guard is looking for educators, elected officials, employers, faith-based organizations, veterans and civic organizations, public safety and judicial officials, medical and social service organizations and other volunteers from the community to get involved.

Pratt said the goal is for the six steering committees to present their action plans in June or July 2013 so the involved communities can finalize the process of becoming a Yellow Ribbon network.